Cerebral haemodynamic pathologies in HELLP syndrome

The syndrome of haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP syndrome) is understood as a unique variant of severe preeclampsia. This disorder complicates between 2 and 7% of gestations and is associated with a high perinatal morbidity and a maternal morbidity ranging between 1 and 4%. Intracerebral complications only rarely occur, especially intracerebral haemorrhage was described only in single cases, often correlated with fatal maternal outcome. The analysis of patients with HELLP syndrome treated at our hospital revealed three cases with severe neurological deterioration. Possible pathogenetic factors are discussed.